Sports betting and betting pool operator Sportech PLC has announced the appointment of Slingo CEO Rich Roberts as a non-executive director of the business with immediate effect, Rich Roberts will replace long serving director John Barnes who retired from his position on the Sportech PLC board.

Rich Roberts currently serves as CEO of social gambling portal Slingo, developers of community led social gambling games such as Deep Sea Marjhong, Splash Slots and many more popular titles. Roberts has held this position since July 2010, prior to this Roberts held management positions in gaming entertainment companies – Hasbro and Playfirst.

Roberts adds a deep tacit knowledge of mobile and social gaming competencies to the Sportech board, under his leadership Slingo products for casino and bingo verticals became hugely popular through partnership with social gaming giant – Zynga Plc. Slingo gaming titles have registered over 54m users. Robert also saw the acquisition of Slingo by Media publishers RealNetworks, for a reported $15.6m deal completed in August this year.

Sportech chairman Roger Withers commented that Roberts would be integral to Sportechs future plans, as the company looks to strengthen its digital and mobile services in the coming months, adding“I am delighted to welcome Rich to the Sportech board,” Withers continued. “Rich’s experience and business knowledge within the mobile, social and iGaming markets will be of considerable benefit to the group.”

In a further company statement Sportech Chief executive Ian Penrose thanked Barnes for his services to Sportech adding “Sportech would like to thank John Barnes his support and advice over the last eight years. During that time, Sportech has been transformed from a heavily indebted declining UK business, into one of the world’s leading pools and tote gaming groups,”